Shortening election process<\/p>\n
First of all, heartiest congratulations to President Susilo
\nBambang Yudhoyono on the occasion of his assuming office on Oct.
\n20 as the very first directly and democratically elected
\npresident of Indonesia.<\/p>\n
The event was of such epic and monumental importance that, for
\nthe first time in many years, many presidents and prime ministers
\nof neighboring countries came to be part of this historical
\nmoment.<\/p>\n
What needs to be done now is to shorten time between the three
\nphases of elections (Indonesians have successfully performed) and
\nalso the time gap between the election of the President and his
\ntaking oath of the office. It would be worthwhile if Indonesia
\nsought some practical help or tips from India as a fellow
\ndeveloping country which has a huge population and has been a
\ngenuine democracy for more than 50 years. It also has a
\ndistinction of being a country which successfully staged a
\ngeneral election in May this year, covering about half a billion
\nvoters exercising their right to vote electronically, making it
\npossible to declare the results within some 48 hours after the
\nclosure of polling process.<\/p>\n
There may be many countries in the world who have electronic
\nvoting, but India is the only one which has the indigenous know-
\nhow, huge population of diverse educational and social levels,
\nand a successful track record.<\/p>\n
Indonesia could follow India's example to shorten the whole
\nprocess by more than 50 percent. After the president's election
\nis announced, how long should be the time before he takes oath?
\nIn India and in Great Britain it is done immediately. In the U.S.
\nit takes about 10 weeks and in Indonesia it took two weeks from
\nofficial announcement of results, but perhaps four weeks from the
\ndate the outcome was obvious! I think Indian and British system
\nis better. If the new leader does not assume office immediately,
\na lot of questionable decisions "which raise eyebrows" as
\nreported by The Jakarta Post, are taken in a malafide manner. The
\nminimum the Indonesian constitution can provide is to declare the
\nincumbent government as "caretaker" of government with limited
\npowers in decision-making!<\/p>\n
K. B. KALE, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/shortening-election-process-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }